Pressure operated system



Jan. 30, 1945. (3. GRANT, JR 2,368,212

PRESSURE OPERATED SYSTEM Filed Aug. 30, 1941 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1945 orrica 2,368,212 PRESSURE OPERATED SYSTEM Harry 0. Grant, Jr., New York, N. Y., assignor to Specialties fleld, N. J.,

Development Corporation, Blooma corporation oi New Jersey Application August 30, 1941, Serial No. 408,951

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to systems for releasing and distributing a fluid pressure medium, and more particularly to a system for selectively directing a fluid pressure medium to one or more desired locations.

The present invention aims to provide a system for directing a fluid pressure medium, such as carbon dioxide, to one or more locations where it may be used for extinguishing a fire, inflating flotation bags or effecting the operation of other pressure operable devices. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a fire extinguishing system adapted for multi-motored aircraft, wherein the fire extinguishing medium may be selectively directed to one or more of the engine nacelles.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved system of the foregoing character.

Another object is to provide a system for selectively directing a pressure medium to a de-- sired location, 'wherein the pressure medium is prevented from being accidentally directed to an undesired or unselected location.

A further object is to provide a system which is compact and simple, comprises a minimum number of parts, and comprises control or actuating devices which may be centrally located on a control panel or the like.

Other and further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent when described in greater detail in'connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view 01' a system for distributing a pressure medium, illustrating an embodiment of the invention. I

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a valve utilized in the system and provided with means for preventing the pressure medium from being improperly distributed.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 on Figure 2, illustrating a detail 01' the valve.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a system for distributing a fire e medium'under pressure to a plurality 01' locations. By way of example, the system illustrated may be installed in a mum-motored airplane having four engine nacelles, each provided with a flre extinguishing medium discharge line.

The system illustrated more or lessdiagrammatically herein may include a source 01' fire extinguishing medium comprising, preferably. two or more cylinders for containing carbon dioxide under high pressure. For example, there may be provided a main cylinder l0 and a reserve cylinder ll, each of which has a discharge valve l2 for releasing the pressure medium from the cylinders. The discharge valves l2 each may be operated by a suitable control device It adapted to be actuated-by a pull cable l5 having a pull handle is attached thereto which preferably is located on the instrument board or control panel of the airplane or some other central location. Each of the cylinders l0 and II may be provided with a safety device for releasing the pressure medium in the event the pressure within the cylinder rises beyond a pressure when the cylinders can safely hold without danger of bursting.

The safety release devices (not shown) each are connected with an outboard discharge conduit I'I having an indicator Id at the outboard end which maybe readily observed from the exterior of the fuselage of the airplane to determine when a cylinder has been discharged due to excessive pressure.

The valves l2 are each operatively connected to a main conduit 20 by a conduit 2| extending from the valve l2 to a T coupling or fitting 22 connected to the main conduit. Each of the conduits 2| may have a check valve 24 positioned intermediate the fitting 22 and the respective valve I 2 for preventing the flow of pressure medium from either cylinder into the other in the event one has been emptied. The conduits 2| may further be provided with a fitting 25 and a conduit 28 for directing pressure to an indicator 2'! on the control panel which indicates when the cylinders have been discharged into the main conduit.

A suitable distributing header 30, which may be considered to be part of the main conduit, is connected to the main conduit 20, and a plurality of branch conduits 3|, for example four in number, are connected to the header it for distributing the pressure medium to desired 10- cations A, B, C and D. In order to control the passage of the pressure medium through the branch conduits II, each conduit 3| is provided with a suitable pressure operable valve 82. These valves 82 may comprise a' valve member normally held in a position by a spring to close the conduit, each valve also having a piston movable by fluid pressure to move the valve memberinto a position to open the conduit. Since valves of this type are well known, a detailed "description and illustration are not believed to In order to selectively the pressure operable operate one or more of valves 32, the header or the main conduit 26 is provided with a secondary conduit 34, connected to a distributing conduit or header to which a plurality of branch conduits 36 are connected. Four branch conduits 36 are provided and each is connected to one of the valves 32 to supply pressure medium for moving the valve piston to open the valve. The passage of pressure medium to the valves 32 is selectively controlled by providing a selector valve 31 in each of :the conduits 36. The selector valves 31 preferably are mounted on the control panel or other central location adjacent the pull handles l6 and indicators 21.

Referring to Figure 2, one of the selector valves 31 is shown in detail. The valve 31 comprises a body member 40 having ears or lugs 4| at one end thereof for attaching the valve to a control panel 42 by means of suitable screws, bolts,

' extending from the header 35 and has an outlet 46 for connecting the portion of the conduit extending to the pressure operable valve 32. Adjacent the inlet a chamber 41 is provided in the valve body for housing a valve member 48 adapted to be urged against a valve seat 49 by a spring 56. To facilitate assembly of the valve 31 the spring 50 is held in position by a plug 5| or other suitable means threaded into the chamber 41 at the end of the body opposite the lugs 4|. A passage, bore or conduit 52, in the valve body, extends from the valve seat 49, adjacent the inlet 45, to the outlet for operatively connecting the inlet and outlet when the valve member 48 is unseated.

In order to unseat the valve member a rod or the like extends through a bore 56 in coaxial alignment with the passage 52 and one end of the rod is adapted to engage a stem portion 51 of the valve member extending into the passage 52. The other end of the rod 55 extends through the valve body and outwardly through an aperture 56 in the control panel 42 to be engaged by operating means about to be described. The bore 56 is sealed to prevent the passage of pressure medium from the passage 52 to the atmosphere by a suitable packing gland 60 or the like fitted in the valve body and extending about the rod 55.

The rod 55 is adapted to be moved inwardly towards the valve member 46 to unseat it by a manually operable handle or lever 6| having a cam surface 62 for engaging the outwardly extending end of the rod. The lever may be pivotally mounted in any suitable manner but preferably carries trunnions 64 rotatably supported in bearing or journal members 65 integral with the valve body and extending through the aperture 59 in the control panel 42.

Accidental movement of the handle or lever 6| may be prevented by providing the lever with a projection 66 having a 'pair of spring clip members 61 or the like attached thereto for engaging the end of the rod 55, as shown in Figure 3. When the handle 6| is swung downwardly to cause the cam surface 62 to movelthe rod 55 inwardly, the spring clip members 61 are forced out of engagement with the rod. Reengagement of the rod is facilitated by flaring the free ends of the members 61 outwardly from'each other as indicated at 69.

It is desirable and an object of the invention to vent any pressure which may be built up in the passage 52, the outlet 46, and the portion of the conduit 36 leading to the pressure operable valve 32. Such pressure may exist in connection with one of the valves 31 and its circuit due to pressure medium leaking past its valve member 46 and valve seat 49 when a cylinder is discharged and is to be directed by another of the valves 31 to open its respective valve 32 and distribute the medium. Also, after operation of a valve 31 to admit pressure medium to a respective valve 32 which opens its distributing conduit 3|, it is desirable to relieve the pressure trapped in the respective conduit 36 so that the valve 32 may again be closed by the spring .within the valve 32.

The foregoing may be accomplished by providing suitable means for venting any pressure in the passage 52, the outlet 46 or the conduit 36 connecting the outlet to the valve 32 while the valve member 48 is on its seat. Such venting means may comprise a venting aperture 10 formed in the valve body which is in communication with passage 52 intermediate the valve seat 49 and the outlet 46. A valve seat 1| may be provided at the outward end of the aperture 10 for receiving a ball member 12, or other suitable valve member which is pressed lightly against the seat 1| by a spring 14 to normally seal the aperture against the introduction of dirt or foreign substances into the passage 52. One end of the spring 14 engages the ball 12 to urge it downwardly and the other end of the spring is seated in a bore 15 of a cap member 16 having an outlet aperture 11 in communication with the atmosphere. The cap member 16 is threaded to the valve body adjacent the aperture 10 and confines the ball 12 for limited movement to vent the passage 52. The ball 12 may alsobe utilized to prevent the loss of a material amount of pressure medium through the aperture 11 when the valve member 48 is unseated and pressure medium flows through the passage 62 from the inlet 45 to the outlet 46. This-'may be accomplished by providing an inverted seat 19 in the cap 16 adjacent the bore 15 against which the ball may be driven in opposition to the spring 14 when a medium under high pressure is conducted through the passage 52. The seat 16, preferably, is imperfect so that the ball does not close off the bore 15 and aperture 11 completely and permits a slight amount of pressure medium to bleed to the atmosphere. Thus when the valve member 48 seats again on the seat 49 to shut off the high pressure medium directed to the valve 32, any pressure trapped in the conduit 36 leading to the valve 32, the outlet 46 and the passage 62 is quickly bled to atmosphere whereby the spring of the valve 32 returns the valve member to close the discharge line 3|.

If desired, each of the discharge conduits 3| leading to the space where the pressure medium is to be distributed may be provided with a fitting connected by a conduit 8| to an indicator 62 (similar to indicators 21) mounted on the control panel to indicate to which space pressure medium has been discharged.

In operation of the system, if a fire should' occur, the operator at the control panel pulls the handle l6 connected to the cable I 5 for causing the control device H to efiect release of the pressure medium in the main cylinder I0, or bank of cylinders. The pressure medium passes through the conduit 2|, the main conduit 20, the header 30, the secondary conduit 34, and the header 35 to supply pressure medium adapted to pass through any or all the valves 32 and 31. In pass where a fire may exist. This may beaccompllshed by pulling downwardly the lever or handle SI of the valve 3'! in the circuit for the space or spaces in which the fire exists. Downward movement of the handle 6| causes the cam sin'face 62 thereof to move the rod 55 inwardly and unseat the valve member 48, whereby pressure. medium passes through the valve 3'! to the pressure operable valve 32 which is then opened to permit the passage of pressure medium through the conduit 3| to the seat of the fire. A the pressure medium passes through the fitting 80'the indicator 82 is operated to advise the operator that the medium has been conducted to the space.

When it is desired to stop the fiow of pressure medium the handl Si is moved upwardly to its initial position and the spring 50 in the valve 31,

causes the valve member .to engage its seat 49 to shut off the flow of pressure medium tending to keep the valve 32 open. The pressure which may b trapped in the portion of the conduit leading from the valve 37 to the valve 32 is quickly vented to the atmosphere by the venting arrangement, whereby the spring in the valve 32 returns the valve member of the valve 32 to close the conduit 3 i. 7

During the release of pressure medium any pressure medium which leaks through a valve which is not intended to be operated is vented to the atmosphere and is prevented from unintentionally opening the valve 32 of a circuit which is not distributing pressure medium.

The reserve cylinder H, or a bank of-reserve cylinders, may be released into the system in the event the contents of the main cylinder or cylind'ers do not extinguish the fire; This may be accomplished by pulling the handle l6 which effects operation of the control device on the cylinder H. The reserve cylinder or cylinders may likewise be used for a subsequent fire which may occur before the discharged main cylinder orv cylinders have been replaced by charged cylinders. The reserve cylinder ll is then released and distributed in the same manner as described in connection with the main cylinder l0.

While the present invention has been descri ed in connection with a fire extinguishing system for distributing a fire extinguishing medium under pressure to aplurality of locations, it will be understood that the system may be employed where it is desired to selectively direct a pressure medium, or a portion thereof, to efiect inflation of a flotation bag or raft, fuel tank purging, operation of emergency devices for lowering landing gear or opening doors or hatches. The system may be used in the foregoing manner in connection with aircraft armored tanks, submarines, boats or any other lan or sea vessels.

While my invention resides in certain principles of construction and operation which have been illustrated and described iIibODIlGCtiOn with the accompanying drawing, it be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other for-ms of construction without departing inany manner from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be strictly limited to the disclosure,

but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a system of the class described, the combination of a control location, a plurality of sources 01' fluid pressure medium, a main conduit operatively connected to each source of pressure medium, release means for releasing the medium solely from any one of said sources to said main conduit and thus preserve any remaining medium for release by said release means, said release means including manually selectively operable devices at said control location for determining the source from which the medium is to be released, a plurality of branch conduits connected to said main conduit for directing the medium to desired locations, a pressure operable valve in each of said branch conduits, each of said valves being independently operable to determine through which of said branch conduits the releasedmedium is directed, a secondary conduit operatively connected to said main conduit, a

plurality of branch conduits each connected to said secondary conduit and one of said pressure operable valves for conducting pressure medium to respectively open said valves, a manually operable valve in each of said last branch conduits and at said control location for selectively directing pressure medium to said pressure operable valves, and means associated with said last valves vfor venting pressure in the portions of said last branch conduits intermediate said last valves and said respective pressure operable valves.

2. In a system of the class described, the combination of a source of fluid pressure medium, means for effecting discharge of said medium, a conduit for directing the medium to a point of discharge, a pressure operable valve in said conduit adapted to be opened to permit the passage of pressure medium through said conduit, a secondary conduit connected to said first conduit at a point intermediate said source and said valve and connected to said valve for admitting pressure medium for opening said valve/a control valve in said secondary conduit, and means for venting pressure in the portion of said secondary conduit connecting said valves, said venting means being ineffective when said control valve is opened to admit pressure medium to said pressure operable valve and being efiective to vent pressure when said control valve is in substantially closed position.

3. In a system of the class described, the combination of a source of fiuid pressure medium, meansfor eiiecting discharge of said medium, a conduit for directing the medium to a point of discharge, a pressure operable valve in said conduit adapted to be opened [t0 permit the passage of pressure medium through said conduit, a secondary conduit connected to said first conduit at a point intermediate said source and said valve and connected to said valve for admitting pressure medium for opening said valve, a control valve in said secondary conduit, and means for venting pressure in the portion of said secondary conduit connecting said valves, said venting means including an aperture leading to the atmosphere, a valve member, a valve seat in said aperture for receiving said valve member to pree vent the escape of pressure to the atmosphere when said control valve is opened to admit pressure medium for opening said first valve, and resilient means for maintaining said valve mem- $110111; of engagement with its seat when less system 01' the class described, the combination a predetermined pressure is in said portion of said secondary conduit.

sure medium, a main conduit operatively connected to each source of pressure medium, means erable to determine through which or said branch conduits the released medium is directed, a secondary conduit operatively connected to said main conduit, a plurality of branch conduits each connected to said secondary conduit and one of said pressure operable valves for conducting pressure medium to respectively open said valves, a control valve in each of said last branch conduits for selectively conducting pressure medium to said pressure operable valves, and means associated with said last valves'for venting pressure in the portions of said last branch conduits intermediate said last valves and said respective pressure operable valves 5. In a system of the class described, the coinbination of a plurality of sources of fluid pressure medium, a main conduit, conduit mean connecting each source of pressure medium to said main conduit, means for-releasing the medium from said sources to said main conduit including manually selectively operable devices for determining the source from which the medium is to be released, a plurality of branch conduits connected to said main conduit for directing the medium to desired locations, a pressure operable valve in each of said branch conduits, each of said valves being independently operable to determine through which of said branch conduits the released medium is directed, a secondary conduit operatively connected to said main conduit, a plurality of branch conduits each connected to said secondary conduit and one of said pressure operable valves-for conducting pressure medium to respectively open said valves, and a manually operable valve in each or said last branch condults for selectively directing pressure medium to said pressure operable valves; each or said venting means including an aperture leading to the atmosphere, a valve member, a valve seat in said aperture for receiving said valve member to prerelease means for releasing the medium solely from any one of said sources to said main conduit and thus preserve any remaining medium for release by said release means, said release means including selectively operable devices at said control location for determining the source from which the medium is to be released, a plurality of branch conduits connected to said main conduit for directing the medium to desired locations, a pressure operable valve in each of said branch conduits, each or said valves being independently operable to determine through which of said branch conduits the released medium is directed, a secondary conduit operatively connected to said main conduit, a. plurality of condary branch conduits each connected to said secondary conduit and one of said pressure operablevalves for conducting pressure medium to respectively open said valves, a valve in.each of said secondary branch conduits and at said control location for selectively directing pressure medium to said pressure operable valves, and means in each of said secondary branch conduits intermediate said valve therein and said pressure operable valve connected therewith tor normally venting leakage pressure in said secondary branch conduits to the atmosphere.

vent the escape of pressure to the atmosphere when said control valve is opened to admit pressure medium for opening said first valve, and reailient means for maintaining said valve member oi! its seat when less than a predetermined pressure existsin said portion of said-secondary conduit.

6. In a system of the class described, thecombination of a control location, a pluralit of sources of fluid pressure medium, a main conduit, conduit means operatively connecting each source or pressure medium to said main conduit,

7. In a system of the class described, the combination of a source ofpressure medium, a con- ,duit operatively connected to said source for directing the fluidpressure medium to a desired location, release means for admitting pressure to said conduit from said source, a pressure 0perable valve in said conduit, a secondary conduit connected to said valve for conducting pressure to said valve for eflfecting operation thereof, valve means in said secondary conduit, and means in said secondary conduit intermediate said valve and said valve means for normally venting leakage pressure in said secondary conduit to the atmosphere. v

8. In a system of the class described, the combination of a source of pressure medium, a conduit operatively connected to said source for directing the fluid pressuremedium to a 'desired location, release meansfor admitting pressure to said conduit from said source, a pressure operable valve in said conduit, a secondary conduit connected to said valve for conducting pressure to said valve for effecting operation, thereof, valve means in said secondary conduit for admittinz pressure to said pressure operable valve, means in said secondary conduit for normally venting leakage pressure from that portion oi said secondary conduit between the two valves to the atmosphere, and means associated with said venting means for rendering said venting means ineffective upon opening of said valve means to admit pressure to-operatesaid pressure operable valve.

HARRY C. GRANT. JR. 

